Patna, Aug 8 (IANS) Bihar Minister Vinod Kumar Singh on Tuesday triggered a controversy when he called mediapersons, who did not shout “Bharat Mata ki Jai” during a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) function, supporters of Pakistan.

Earlier in the same function, Bihar BJP President Nityanand Rai said “sound of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ should replace azhan from mosques and sounds of bells from churches”. Later he took U-turn and asserted he did not say so.

Vinod Kumar Singh, who is the Minister of Mines and Geology from BJP quota in the Janata Dal-United-BJP government led by Nitish Kumar, asked all people to join him in loudly shouting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” before ending the Sankalp Sammelan of the BJP here to honour all the 12 ministers of the party.

Soon after the function began on Tuesday, Nitayanand Rai, who is also the BJP MP from Hajipur Lok Sabha seat, said the sound of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Matram” should come from mosque and church in place of ajaan and bell.

However, after realizing he has made a controversial statement, Rai corrected himself before the media and said: “I told that sound of Bharat Mata Ki Jai and Vande Matram should come from mosque and church and did not mean in place of ajaan and bell.”